Norton Left Indelible Mark On Canada, Baseball

Down to their final out, the Rockies used a clutch longball and then some small ball to win a series on Thursday in Anaheim. Jake Cave belted a two-run homer with two outs in the ninth inning to tie the game, then Sam Hilliard’s bunt forced a Los Angeles error in the 10th to score the winning run in a 5-4 comeback victory at Angel Stadium.

When Lucas Krull took the mound as a 16-year-old and threw a fastball 90 miles per hour left-handed, it created disbelief. But when he walked behind the mound four years later, he shook his head and murmured to himself, “I can’t believe I am still doing this.” Krull had reached a crossroads in his athletic career, a journey that now is worthy of a movie.

Colorado State will open fall camp for the third time under head coach Jay Norvell early Friday morning in the shadows of Canvas Stadium, hoping to take another step forward in 2024. CSU is coming off a 5-7 season a year ago. The Rams went 3-5 in the Mountain West Conference and have been picked to finish fifth in the league this year. The Rams expect big seasons from several players, specifically their preseason all-conference selections in wide receiver Tory Horton, defensive back Jack Howell, offensive lineman Jacob Gardner and linebacker Chase Wilson. A successful season will come down to not only the expected production of those players, but others who showed improvement last year and newcomers to the team as well. Here are a few storylines to watch as the team opens camp and begins preparation for the 2024 season, which begins Aug.

Attendance Did not practice: Physically Unable to Perform List — S Delarrin Turner-Yell (knee) and LB Drew Sanders (Achilles). Out — Brandon Jones (hamstring). Broncos undrafted rookie running back Blake Watson (muscle strain) practiced for the first time during training camp, as he passed his physical and was removed from the non-football injury list. QB Race Today Denver’s quarterback competition seems to be turning into a two-man race between Jarrett Stidham and rookie Bo Nix.

In his two seasons at Liberty, Preston Hodge played a lot of football and won a lot of games. Something was missing, however. “I didn’t really get coached the best at my position last year,” the Colorado newcomer said this week as he and the Buffaloes began preseason camp. “So, just being able to play for the best; Deion is the best to ever do it at my position.

Quinn Bailey was placed on season-ending injured reserve, the Broncos announced Thursday, after dislocating his ankle and fracturing his fibula during Wednesday’s practice. Head coach Sean Payton said Bailey is expected to have ankle surgery next week while there’s a chance the fibula could heal naturally. Wednesday’s practice stopped momentarily when Bailey injured his right ankle during a 9-on-7 drill, causing players to look away before the training staff put an air cast on his right leg and transported him to an ambulance. Payton said he expected Bailey to make the 53-man roster. “When I spoke with him, he was at home.